WITH YOUTH VIOLENCE ON THE CENTRAL COAST. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS ALONE- THERE'S BEEN A LONG STRING OF SHOOTINGS INVOLVING TEENAGERS ... SOME DEADLY. MANY OF THEM GANG-RELATED. NOW ONE COUNTY IS TAKING SOME PRO- ACTIVE STEPS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE. ACTION NEWS REPORTER MARGOT DUNPHY IS LIVE IN OUR SALINAS NEWSROOM WITH TONIGHT'S TOP STORY.# DAN, "TURNING THE CURVE ON YOUTH VIOLENCE" IS THE NAME OF THIS FORUM. IT'S THE VISION OF WATSONVILLE POLICE CHIEF MANNY SOLANO WHO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE VOICE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IS HEARD WHEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. JUST A WEEK AFTER A 15 YR OLD BOYS IS SHOT IN A DRIVEBY ON THE STREETS OF SANTA CRUZ ... A CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS THE GROWING PROBLEM OF YOUTH CRIME. @9:49 LORI "the youth have organized this and that the youth are here listening and ....take messages back to their friends. TURNING THE CURVE ON YOUTH VIOLENCE, BROUGHT TOGTHER EDUCATORS YOUTH LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCMENT FRIDAY TO COLLABORATE ON SOLUTIONS AND CRIME PREVENTION IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. @1:33 RUDY "services from education, treatment programs, intervention programs trying to get involved in the community, the education swo we can attack problems head on. IT WAS ALSO A CHANCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SPEAK OUT. YONI HERNANDEZ IS STILL A GANG MEMBER, BUT BELIEVES THAT ALLOWS HIM BETTER ACCESS TO KIDS HE CAN HELP. @7:15 Yoni "someone who knows the experience of being in a gang, helping other gang members is easier than somebody that doesnt' have experience. AS WELL AS TELLING HIS STORY AT THE EVENT, HE HOPED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO HELP CHANGE THE LIVES OF TROUBLED KIDS IN HIS COMMUNITY. @7:58 YONI "not tell them to get out of gangs because that's not going to happen. But kind of help them and give them the tools to help them have a better education and pursue something in high school, college. TODAY'S FORUM WILL HELP DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. PARTICIPANTS TODAY ALSO GOT INFORMATION INTO HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION. DAN. MEANTIME, A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO GET GANG MEMBERS OFF THE STREETS ENDED WITH 361 ARRESTS ACROSS 71 CITIES BETWEEN JULY AND AUGUST.# ON THE CRIME